Dismembered chef's nephew consults with Skakel lawyer

The business partner and nephew of a murdered Danbury chef has been in contact with high-profile Stamford criminal defense lawyer Mickey Sherman.

Marash Gojcaj, who ran the Danbury restaurant Gusto Ristorante with his uncle, Joe Vuli, whose dismembered body was found in April, has spoken to Sherman about the case."I've been consulted," said Sherman, a media friendly and telegenic lawyer who is often used as an expert commentator on news programs.

Sherman's most famous recent case was representing Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel, who was convicted in 2002 of killing his Greenwich neighbor when they were teenagers in 1975. The dismembered body of Vuli, also known as Zef Vulevic, 41, was found cut into seven pieces and dumped in a wooded area of Bedford, N.Y. He had been shot twice in the back of the head.

Gojcaj could not be reached on Friday. Meanwhile, a publicist for the restaurant, which closed April 22, said Gusto could re-open within two weeks. "His plans are to re-open the restaurant," said Paul Evans, who handled Gojcaj's public relations and advertising before the restaurant was shut down for a police investigation.

Authorities said police have completed their investigation at the restaurant. Evans said Gojcaj told him that "I am hoping by next week, or the following week I'd like to re-open again. Vuli's brother reported him missing April 10. That was five days after Gojcaj said Vuli left the restaurant and started walking toward the apartment he and his uncle shared on East Liberty Street.

The criminal case appears to be in a holding pattern as police wait for forensic test results. The state forensic lab handles toxicology tests and analyzes evidence taken from the scene for blood, fingerprints, DNA, hairs and saliva.

"They're still up in the lab," said Danbury prosecutor Stephen Sedensky of evidence being tested. Police have said the meat slicer, van and a piece of carpeting removed from the restaurant are among the items being examined by the state lab. Sedensky said the case is still under investigation and asked that anyone with information about it call Danbury police.

Authorities aren't revealing potential suspects at this point. Danbury Police Capt. Arthur Sullo said "whether you're a suspect or not, you're entitled to counsel. Just because you're represented by counsel, there's no inference to suggest innocence or guilt."